The heartbroken mother of Louis Nix III paid tribute to the former Notre Dame star and Giants defensive lineman who was found dead Saturday at the age of 29.
Stephanie Wingfield remembered the Jacksonville, Florida native as incredibly kind and always willing to help a friend.
“If his head were not attached to his body, he would give it to you” He told Action News in Jacksonville Sunday. People wanted autographs. He was never too busy, he always gave an autograph. I’ve always taken a long time to talk to people. “
Nix was reported missing Wednesday and his car was found three days later in a Jacksonville pond.
“Before they could pull anything out,‘ I’m sorry, ’” I began to shout, “No, no, no, no, no, no, no! “” Wingfield recalled from the police who informed her of the news.
A police investigation is underway, Wingfield said.
“God took him after he got him,” Wingfield said. “I don’t get it, but at least he left here with God in his life.”
It is not yet known if Nix’s death was related to an incident in December, when he was hospitalized for 10 days after being shot while filling the tires of his car at a gas station near Jacksonville airport.
Nix played four games for the Giants in 2015. He was signed by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and also spent time with Washington and the Jaguars, following an outstanding career at Notre Dame.
“There was a vibrant man walking down those hallways … We lost someone until the first hour,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. he told reporters Monday. “We’re devastated by that.”